Inhibitory effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine on lipogenesis in rat adipose tissues

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) inhibited the incorporation of 14C from 14C-labelled glucose, pyruvate, citrate and acetate into fatty acids but it did not inhibit the conversion of 14C from citrate and acetate into CO2, and the citrate conversion into glyceride-glycerol in epididymal and mesenteric adipose tissue from 24h-fasted rats. 5-HT stimulated the formation of lactate from glucose and pyruvate, and increased the ratio of lactate produced/pyruvate taken up. This ratio was similar to the NADH:NAD ratio. These results indicate that 5-HT inhibits fatty acid synthesis in rat white adipose tissue by mechanisms similar to those of the catecholamines.